Mavericks: Why does Kristaps Porzingis disappear in the fourth quarter

The Dallas Mavericks had their five-game winning streak snapped by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. They struggled from the field and made just 25.6 percent of their 39 3-point attempts in the 102-93 loss. Kristaps Porzingis was one of the few bright spots for Dallas. He finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and one block on ten of 19 from the field in his return after a two-game absence.

The Unicorn was playing well, but he failed to attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter. Luka Doncic was struggling from the field. Josh Richardson left his jump shot in Dallas. Dorian Finney-Smith had struggled before hitting two 3-pointers in the final six minutes. Why did KP not get the ball when he was playing well?

It is not the first time the Mavericks have gone away from Porzingis in the fourth quarter. Let us take a closer look at why he disappears late in games.

Why does Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis disappear in the fourth quarter?

Coach Rick Carlisle shifted to playing the Unicorn longer stretches back in February after KP let his preference be known. The move means Porzingis plays nearly all the first and third quarters. He comes in around the midway point in the second and fourth to close out each half.

He re-entered Wednesday’s game against the Rockets with 6:52 remaining and failed to attempt a field goal. Luka Doncic attempted seven and made just two. Porzingis had a total of two touches in the final period. He spent most of his time spotting up in the corners.

Part of the issue was the Mavericks hunting matchups for Luka. They had Tim Hardaway Jr. or Jalen Brunson screening to get the switch they wanted on their superstar. The game in Houston was not an isolated incident, though.

Porzingis was asked about his lack of offensive production in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night after the game. See his response below.

"“Good question. It is just the plays we were running. It happened before also.”"

The Unicorn is not wrong. In his nine games played since the All-Star break, Porzingis takes just 2.1 field goal attempts per game in the fourth quarter and averages just 2.9 points. His production virtually vanishes in the final period. KP averages just 1.0 rebound and 0.3 blocks in 6.1 minutes per game over that stretch.

Why are the Mavericks going away from their 7’3 big man? They want the ball in Luka’s hands. The superstar is one of the best offensive players in the NBA. Doncic takes over in the fourth. He gets into the lane for easy scores or open looks for teammates. The 22-year-old tends to fire his step back 3-pointer a bit more down the stretch too. The Mavs do not want a skilled big man switched on Luka if he plans on driving into the paint.

Should the Dallas Mavericks try to get Kristaps Porzingis more involved late in games?

Since Feb. 3, the Mavs are seventh in the NBA in offensive rating at 117.0. They drop to 12th and 114.3 in the fourth quarter. The Unicorn is a unique offensive weapon that Dallas should be using more. Porzingis cannot create his own shots, so Luka and the Mavericks must find ways to get him going in the final period.

KP made the Rockets pay on several occasions in the first three quarters when they switched small players on to him. The Mavs had the game tied at 89 with 2:35. They settled for a 3-pointer on each of their next three possessions on a night where they made ten of 39 in the game. Letting Porzingis screen for Doncic and creating a mismatch could have helped Dallas get an easier look in the final two minutes.

The Dallas Mavericks should get the Unicorn more involved late if they want their fourth-quarter offense to improve. It is something to watch moving forward. Stay tuned to see if they change up their plan to get Kristaps Porzingis going late in games.